Recorder mechanism for electrical



Aug. 13, 1940. c THQMPSQIq 2.210,963

RECORDER MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL ROLL CALL OR VOTING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1956 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

(Ya/2144s e55 570 ADA/V BY 2 U ATTORNEY? Aug 13, 1946. c THOMPSON 2.210,963

RECORDER MECHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL ROLL CALL OR VOTING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 3: 36 5 381, /6 a 2 I I, v 52 3 ss 33: 56 z l6 l 4 14 4 77 q a a! 0% In I 92 73 11 0 l2 0 as .3 l I I .3 I

I7 56 a9 1 l5 76 q/ 0, 84 I 82 1, qq Iii 78 7 k 7 85 I 92 10 73 8 INVENTOR.

Y Q G 'A rmm's 13, 19 i c. F. THOMPSON 2,210,963

RECORDER MEGHANISM FOR ELECTRICAL ROLL CALL QR VOTING APPARATUS Filed June 25, 1936 4 Shets-Sheet 3 :EJLE 5 o "a" ---c "er- F -v-- QQ3-2 e o o e 0 MMUHH 0 e o o o e o gwvuv e Z 0 O o o Q N AN V e N AN V o /\N V o o' e o e we :3 1 1 2:4,: 3 uavmuaonaafiyee 67:; 5h 0 o a Q I e o o 0 HECUHU'CARD Q i n l o A o e g g .N:V g

o o 5 0 o o o o o 0 0 O o o o INVENTOR.

W ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 c. F. THOMPSON Filed June 25, 1936 RECORDER MECHANISM, FOR ELECTRICAL ROLL CALL 0R VOTING APPARATUS Aug. 13, 1940.

INVENTOR awe/a 5 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I]! B Y mMyom v, va. M ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 13, 1940 RECORDER MECHANISM FOR Ema-mm. ROLL our. on, vormo APPARATUS f Charles F. Thompson, DumbartonQVa'. iv Application June 25, 1935, senai'No. 87,273

- 2 Claims.- (o1.271-53) invention relates to electricalroll-call or voting systems, such as are used by legislative and otherdeliberative'bodies, and consists ,of i a new type of high speed vote recording machine. 7 In the past, commercially practical vote recording machines operating on the commutator principle, recorded each members vote consecutively and therefore took an undesirably long period of time to operate. The present application discloses a vote recording machine thatcan be built to simultaneously record any desired number of votes, and therefore operates in a fraction of the time heretofore required by devices of I this character. 7 v

This application is one of a series of applications relating to a voting system in which; the membership is divided into a number of divisions for high speed vote recording purposes. This application is a continuation in part of my ap-- plication', Serial No. 77,839, filed May 4-, 1936.

' The recording machine of this new systemre .cords each division of members in a separate column of names on the record card. The under: lying principle used by this recording machine is that of rapidly feeding a paper card, by a step by step movement, beneath a line of recording solenoids, so that a vote in each division, orv each column of names'across the card, is automatically and simultaneously recorded, each timethe paper card is stepped forward.

Among the objects of this invention are:

To provide a vote 'recordingmachine capable of simultaneously recording one members vote in each column of names, andv thus operate in a fraction of the time heretofore required by'old style recording devices which recorded but one 'members vote at'a time.

To provide a vote recording machine of the utmost simplicity, in which a record card is merely fed under a line'of recording solenoids.

H To provide a voterecording machine mechan-f ically separated from the commutator, so'that a single commutator may drive several recording machines, or none at all, as the case may be and to provide means for keeping the recording circuits in electrical balance for spark "elimination purposes, regardless of the number of recording machines in use.

" To provide a vote recording machine'of such small size, and light weight, and, so few electrical connections, that it is portable and capable of being plugged-in or disconnected, at a moments notice. "1 To provide a vote recording machine that may be constructed so inexpensively, votinggbodies can afford to install them for the press,.party leaders, and other authorized persons, in addition to the official Trecorder at the clerk's desk, I attain theaboveobjects by mechanism illus? trated in the accompanying drawings, in which-;- Fig. l is a front sectional viewof my recording machine. I t Fig. 2 is asidesectionalview ofmy recording machine, on line 2 2 of Fig.1. cording machine,;on line 3-3'of.Fig.-l.- Fig.4shows my recorder is capable of emboss ing orprinting'the' record card as well-as perfo; ratingit. i

Fig.v 5 discloses atop sectional view of my re-v corder, on linejfi 5 ofFig. 1. 'f Fig. f6shows a sample of the record card used."

f Fig. 7 shows a fragmentary section of myref-f corder on line'l- 'l of Fig.5.

3 is'a partialside sectional viewjof myree 1O Fig. 8 "'showsfa theoretical wiring diagram of my recorder. v v

' Fig.l,9'disc1osesla structure using an alternative paper feed mechanism. Fig} 0 shows atop view of the structureillus -fl trated in Fig.

" Fig. 11 ,disclose's'the feed cylinder shown in Figs. 9'and 10.

'1 I construction of the lpape f The recorder herein illustratedisof very ible construction. As indicated in Fig. 4' it may be adapted to'emboss or print the record card whenthese methods are preferred to perforating 'Likewisejthe card may be fed out of the ref corde'rin ,th'edirection-of entry, or inthefoppo site direction..-Th'e-card may be either pushed or pulled through the recorder, and byjeith'er sprocket wheels or. friction wheels, andthe'paper feedunechanism may or 'may not 'be locked against"over-.thi'owpn each feeding impulsaias desired. ;,'Ihse' alternative constructions, ro-v vide aifle'rribility'in manufacturing, but do not de part 'from the spirit'and purpose of my invention} Figs. "1.to.17 inclusively, disclosemy recorder in its most simple form. Following the wiring dia-Q gram shownffin Fig. 8,' "a construction is illus tratedi'nl igs. 9 to :11 inclusively, embodying.

, the various alternativeconstructions in a single structure. V Similar numerals refer to. similar parts throughout theseveral views. N V v Considering first Figs. 1 .to 7 inclusively, l i t will beseen that the basic structure of my recorder consists; of 'acastin'g constituting a base I 2, havingon its tops'urface, two, members l3 and] to guidegthe record card. A plate '15 preferably of iron; is fastendon top of projecting-members "ill I3 and M by the threaded ends l6 of the four corner posts l1, |8, I9 and 20, thereby providing a passage for the record card between elements |2, |3, l4 and I5. Recorders may be built to record any number of voting divisions, but the recorder disclosed is for three voting divisions. Therefore mounted on top of plate I5 is a row of nine twin solenoids for recording the Aye, Not-voting and Nay votes of the three divisions, in the three corresponding columns on the recordcard. First division, or column, Aye votes are recorded by solenoids 2 I, Not-voting votes by solenoids 22, and Nay votes by solenoids 23. Second division, or column, Aye votes are recorded by solenoids 24,

Not-voting votes by solenoids 25, and Nay votes by solenoids 26. Third division, or column, Aye votes are recorded by solenoids 21, Not-voting votes by solenoids 28, and Nay votes by solenoids 29. The stationary cores 38 of all solenoids 2| to 29 inclusive, are riveted in plate |5 by their shanks 3|. The solenoids 2| to 29 inclusively are held in place over the cores 30, bythe top plate 32, which contains entry holes for the bass tubes 33 of each solenoid, as well as four corner holes for passage of the threaded ends .34 of the four corner posts l1, l8, l9 and 20. Two plungers such as 35 are riveted to a common yoke 36, and such an assembly is mounted in each of the'twin solenoids 2| to 29. The yokes 36'are each tapped to receive an adjustable recording rod 31, which may be locked: in position by its nut 38. Each recording'rod 31 passes through a bushing 39 mounted in plate l5, so itmay perforate a hole when the twin solenoid is energized. A die such as 40 containing hole 4| is placed directly beneath each recording rod 31, and the lower end of each rod 31 is reduced in size to fit holes 4|, as indicated at 42. A passage hole 52 is provided in top plate 32 for each recording rod 31 passing through it. I

The rods 31 may be adapted to emboss rather than perforate, as shown by rod 31a in Fig. 4, which contains a recording end'42d of concave o'r'other desired embossing shape, and a suitable corresponding die 40a. to match. The rods 31 may be also adapted to print rather than perforate, as shown by rod 31b in Fig. 4, which contains a recording end 42?) that may be plain as shown; or equipped with any desired letter, word or character. For printing, a ribbon, indicated at 43 passes through achannel inbottom of plate l5, indicated at-44, underthe line of recording rods such as 31b; and a rubber pad 46b, also passing under the line of recording rods 31b replaces dies 40.

The yoke 36, of each twin solenoid,with its recording rod 31 and two plungers 35 attached thereto, is normally pushed upward by spring 45 until yoke contacts stop plate 46, with nut 38 passing through hole 53. Four corner holes are provided on stop plate 46 for passage of threaded ends 34 of the four corner posts l1, I8, l9 and 29. Collars such as 41 on the threaded ends 34 of posts l1, l8, l9 and 20, are so proportioned in length as to provide proper travel for the solenoid plungers 35. Nuts indicated at 48 on corner post ends 34 lock the stop. plate 46 against collars 41. The nine twin' solenoids 2|, to 29 inclusively, and connected parts rne'ntioned are covered by housing 49, which rests on members l3 and 4, andwhich retains its location-by snugly fitting over plate l5. Housing 49 is covered by top .59, which is held in place by cap nuts, on the threaded ends 34 of the corner posts |1, |8, |9

- and 20.

A sample of the record card is indicated at 54. By lifting handle 5 of hinged plate 56, record card 54 may be inserted through slot composed of members |2, |3, I4 and l5, until its motion is arrested by card stop 51. In this position record- 5 ing rod 31 of solenoids 2| is above record card position 58, and rod 31 of solenoids 29 is above record card position 59, and the balance of the recording rods 31 are spaced over the various recording positions lying between 5 and 59 On record card 54. It will be noted that plate 56 is hinged by pins 69 and 6| connecting it with blocks 62 and 63. These blocks 62 and 63 also guide the entry of record card 54 in its slot.

The record card 54 is equipped with lines of paper feed holes 64, 65, 66 and 61. When card 54 is inserted in its slot until it contacts card stop 51, and then released, the perforated feed holes 64, 65, 66 and 61 will engage with the sprocket teeth 68 of the sprocket wheels 69, 10, 1| and 12', mounted onshaft 13.- When handle 55 is released, hinged plate 56 drops and rests on studs 99, which have suflicient elevation to'cause card 54 to pass freely under plate 56 and yet prevent card 54 from becoming disengaged from the sprocket wheels 69,18, 1| and 12.

'Shaft 13 is supported by bearings 14 and 15,

and upon shaft 13 arepinned two ratchet wheels 16 and 11, each of which is normally engaged with a detent roller 18. Each roller 18 is supported by arm 19, pivoted at 89, and held in engagement with its ratchet wheel by spring 8|. The sprocket teeth 68 on thesprocket wheels 69, 10, 1| and 12 are so proportioned asto feed the record card 54 from one line of names to the next, each time the ratchet wheels 16 and 11 are advanced the space of one tooth, and with this construction, the record card 54 is fed out of the recorder in the opposite direction from which it entered. a A paper feed solenoid is placed in each side of the casting base 2, as indicated at 82 and 83, to actuate ratchet wheels 16 and 11. Each paper feed solenoid 82 and 83 is equipped with an adjustable core 84, threaded into'casting |2 for adjustment purposes and locked by nut 85. Front end of each feed solenoid 82 and 83 is supported by a bracket 66,to which is pivoted at 81, the feed lever 88. Each feed lever 88 is attached at 95 to its respective solenoid plunger 94. Motion of each feed lever 88 is controlled in one direction byits stop screw89, and in the other direction by its solenoid core 84. A'feed pawl 90 is pivoted at 9| to each feed lever 88,'and held in engagement with its respective ratchet wheel 16 or 11 by its spring 92. Attached to each feed lever 88 is a main spring 93, also attached to the casting base l2, which supplies the energy for feeding the record card 54. v v

The record card 54 may be fed directly by the feedsolenoids 82 and 83 if so desired, but I prefer to feed the record card 54 when said solenoids become de-energizedby action of the springs 93, as this permits a more uniform wiper adjustment at the selector, andcauses' the feed solenoids 82 and 83 to operate at approximately the same time the recording solenoidsare operating. L

Energizationof feed solenoids 82 and 83 causes their respective plungers 94 to be'attracted towardftheir cores 84, moving each feed lever 88 until its respective pawl 98 is in position to engage the next tooth on its corresponding ratchet wheel 16 or 11. When solenoids- 82 and 83 become deenergized, springs 93, cause record card 54 to be moved to the next recording position. I In Fig. 8 a wiringdiagram is disclosed. Three 75 Voting units are indicatedat a b anew. Voting unit a-i'sin thefirst voting'di'vision, and connected totlie first 'contactors'i-n division A of the selector, which control the first column solenoids of the recorder."- Voting unit his in' the second voting division and connectedto the first contactorsin division B of the's'elect'or, which control the sec- 0nd column solenoids 'ofthe'recorden Voting unit 0 is in the thirdvotingdivision and connected to the first 'cdntactors in division C of the selector,-whi ch control the third column solenoids'of the recorder. 1 3 "The voting units a, b, and c are s'hojwnhjconnected to positive batteryvvith their respective blades 96 resting on Not-voting 'contakito'rs; '91. Iffblades 96' were thrown to right they would cause -Ay votes to be recorded, are thrown to left they would cause'Nay'votes'to'berecorded.

selector section for-feeding the record card 54 isindicated at*H,-where the wiper is in position to feed successive impulses tothe paper feed solenoids 82 andv 83. v All recorder solenoids, including the paper feed solenoids 82 and B3, areconnected through switch.

Kto common'negative battery, andtherefore as long as switch K is in the closedflposition illustrated, all said recorder solenoids'will become energized in accordance with the impulses received from the selector. Three of the nine 'recording solenoidsand the paper feed solenoids 82 and 83, will be energized each time the selector wipers contact alnew set of operating contactors, and as said wipersleave said contactors, the record card 54 will be moved one. recording position forward by action of springs 93. It will be observed when switch K is opened, an inductance coil ilii'is'substituted for each twin recording solenoid,,and also for the'pairof paper feed solenoids, so the electrical characteristics of the recording vcircuits will remain constant for spark elimination purposes regardless of whether the recorder is connected for operation. The same system of substituting inductancesfor recorder solenoids can be used where several recorders are installed in parallel and switches are used to individually connect or disconnect them.

lhe basic principle of the structure described consists of perforating a line of holes across, the card, or otherwise recording a line of marks of somecharacter across the card, and then "stepping the card into a new position for another recording operation. l, However, as mentioned, without departing from the scope of my invention, the paper feed mechanism maybe built in a variety of constructions. For instance, friction wheels-may, replace the sprocket wheels, or the direction of feed may be reversed, or the card pushed instead of pulled, and the feed mechanism may be locked against over throw if desired. These alternative features are disclosed in a structure shown in Figs. 9 to 11, inclusively, which will be now described.

Figs. 9 to 11 inclusively disclose a base I2a, having mounted upon it the dies 40a, the card slot and paper guide members l3a and Ma, and the two blocks 62a and 63a; and having mounted within it the usual paper feed solenoids 82a and 83a, each having its core 84a threaded into base I'Za and locked by nut 85a, and each supported by its bracket 86a The direction of feed in this structure is the reverse to that previously described, the record card being fed in the same direction it enters the slot. This direction of feed is necessary when the record cards are printed in the form of a roll 'o'f tape; and mayl'be u's'ed also with individual record cardssuch as 545 It will be observed thefeed-mechanism pushes the record card through the slot instead 'of pullingit through as formerly described. I r

---Vl.'h1'l 'et h"e structure shown inFigs. 9 to- 11" inclusively' may be 'ei 'uippe'd with sprocket wheels fo r feedingthe card, the-'s'aid structure is herein il-lustrated fwith frictiorrwheels' for that pur pose- Sprocket-feed isde'sirable for long columns of names, or when the record cards are printed in-th'e formofa roll' oftape, but "friction feed is'f'ehtirely "suitable for my recorder when using individual'record card's-having comparatively few names m me column. i

shaft holes of projections I03 and lfl4' ofbase.

'l,2 ct.i *""I'hef feed cylinder' projects through "an elongatedjhole I05 in base I2a-soit may contact the paper? Swinging onshaft I02 is a pawl framefIIIIi-for each of the ratchet wheels I01. 'Eachpawl frame"carri'es a pawl I01 pivoted to 'the'frame IDGby pin"l0 8,' and held in engage mentfw'ith its respe'ctiveratchet wheel I0 I by spring I09; Each solenoid plunger indicated at 'I I0 is' equipped with a flanged head III to hold paper feeding spring H2. Pivoted at H4 to each.

'pawl frame 1 06, is alink 'I I3. The other end of' link II? is fastened to its respective solenoid plunger I10, which'is'fitted with a slot 5 and.

pivotpin" iifi to'receiveit. 'Motionof the pawl frame I06 islimitedirif' one direction by the ad j ustable solenoidfcore'84a; and in the other direction by'the adjustable stop screwIiL Straddling link I I3 is shown a lever I I8, supporting detent roller I19, which is held inengagem'ent with the teeth of the ratchet wheel MI by the spring I20. I It will be seen that the teeth on ratchet wheels i are of,different shapethan thoseillustrated in the previous structure. The'purpo'se of shaping the ratchet teeth as shown at IN, is to permit a safety feature'to be incorporated in the construction, when so desiredfforf preventing 'possiblejoverthrow' of the feed cylinder I00 when the feed solenoids 82a and 83a are de-energized.

F r. this purpose each link I I3 is equipped with ill) sible, of providing a buckling space in the card slot between the feed mechanism and the recording mechanism. This feature would permit the card to buckle rather than tear if the feed operation ever commenced before the recording operation was completed. When a buckling space is provided in the card slot it becomes necessary to block that buckling space when the card is inserted. Otherwise the card could buckle after hitting its stop and thereby record incorrectly. The mechanism accomplishing these results will now be described.

Rollers of rubber or other material must be provided to press the record card on the feed cylinder I00. Three such rollers are illustrated at I22, I23 and I24. Each said roller is pivoted by a shaft such as I26, in an individual roller frame such as I21. Each frame I21 is under individual spring tension. A shaft I28 is supported between the blocks 62a and 63a and pinned in said blocks as indicated at I29. The individual frames I21 holding rollers I22, I23 and I24 are swung on shaft I28 and separated by collars such as I30. Springs such as I3I, having their centers pinned to shaft I28 as indicated at I32, and having their ends overlap the sides of the roller frames I21, provide the necessary tension for rollers I22, I23 and I24. These said rollers may however be simultaneously lifted for the purpose of inserting a record card by the U-shaped frame I33, which is also pivoted on shaft I28, and which is fitted with a finger lift I34.

Pivoted to each side of frame I33, as indicated at I35, is a link I36, having two limiting stops I31 and I38. Said links pass through suitable holes in base I2a, but the limiting stops I31 and I38 strike the base I2a when frame I33 is raised or lowered. The lower ends of links I36 are connected at I39 to a cradle frame I40 inside the base I2a. C'radle frame I40 is hinged at HI and I42 and carries a shaft I43 holding card stop arms I44 and I45, which project through holes in the base I2a and thus stop the card when finger lift I34 is raised and the card inserted. Card stops I44 and I45 are adjustable on the shaft I43, and are arranged so they are removed from the path of the card as soon as the rollers I22, I23 and I24 have clamped the record card to the feed cylinder I00. The card can thus be fed in the same direction in which it was inserted.

When a card is inserted it is placed between the two links I36 and guided between blocks 62a and 63a, and between guides I3a and Ma, until it strikes the card stops I44 and I45. In this position the card lays over the buckling space I46, which is located between the feed mechanism and the recording mechanism. During insertation of the card the cradle frame I40 is raised, and a, portion thereof I40a, fills and blocks the buckling space I46, so the card cannot buckle into said space when it strikes stops I44 and I45 during insertation. After insertation of the card has been arrested by stops I44 and I45,

the finger lift I 34 is released, which lowers cradle frame I40, removing portion I40a thereof from the-buckling space I46, and withdrawing stops I 44 and I45 as soon as the card is clamped be tween rollers I22, I23, I24, and feed cylinder I00, The card is now free to buckle if the feeding operation overlaps the recording operation, and will automatically straighten itself when the recording operation ends.

Any number of the features shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusively may be incorporated in. the structure described in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusively. It should be understood no feed holes such as 64, 65, 66 and 61 are necessary when friction feed is used; and also that the commutatorlor selector wipers shown in Fig. 8 move together, as is well illustrated by the application of this series covering that device.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a machine for recording on a record card, a base having a passage for the card, a projectible stop operably mounted in said base, card feed means including pressure means adapted to hold the card in operative engagement therewith, actuating means for projecting said stop and simultaneously lifting said pressure means for inserting a record card in the passage in said base in predetermined position for engagement by said feed means, said stop being withdrawn into said base with the release of said pressure means for operation of said feed means, said base being provided with a recording position and a longitudinal opening constituting a buckling space for the record card in said passage intermediate said recording position and the card feed means, and a bar member connected with said actuating means and movable in conjunction with said stop, said bar member being adapted to close said bucklingspace with the stop in projected position for the introduction of a record card into the passage in said base.

2. In a machine for recording on a record paper, a base having a passage for the paper provided with a recording position, paper feed mechanism for advancing the paper to said recording position, said base having an opening therein intermediate said recording position and said feed mechanism and constituting a buckling space in said passage for said paper, and means including a blocking member projectible into said opening for closing the buckling space for insertion of the record paper into the passage in said base.

CHARLES F. THOMPSON. 

